Can Farming Work Without Soil or Seasons? Startups Can Make It Possible!

India’s agriculture sector has long battled challenges like land degradation, depleting water resources, and climate unpredictability. While traditional farming remains the backbone of the rural economy, startups are stepping in with tech-driven solutions to address gaps in food production and sustainability.

One such venture is Eeki, a climate-resilient agritech startup co-founded by Abhay Singh and Amit, which is developing solutions to grow vegetables in extreme and non-arable conditions. What sets Eeki apart is its ability to grow crops using 90% less water, 18 times higher yield, and operate independent of seasonal cycles.

“We’ve built a system that allows year-round cultivation, even in temperatures ranging from 3°C to 50°C. It’s scalable and sustainable,” says Abhay Singh, co-founder of Eeki.

From Problem Exploration to Startup Formation

The idea of Eeki didn’t start with a business plan. The co-founders were initially exploring a technical solution to enable year-round cultivation. They were curious about whether it was possible to grow vegetables without depending on monsoons or fertile soil. Over time, as their research evolved and the solution became tangible, they realized that turning it into a company was the only viable way to scale its impact.

“It wasn’t a company in the beginning. We were just trying to find a solution. But gradually we understood that only a structured, commercial setup could help us take this to more people and more geographies,” Abhay explains.

The founders focused on developing a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) model where vegetables could be grown in large structures on barren land using advanced agritech methods. Their goal was not to replace traditional farming, but to complement it by solving specific challenges like water stress, yield limitations, and year-round food production.

Technology with a Specific Focus

Currently, Eeki focuses only on vegetables and is preparing to expand into certain fruit crops. The startup is deliberately keeping its focus narrow to ensure better R&D and product efficiency.

“We’re not trying to grow everything. Our aim is to specialise in vegetables and later, some fruits. Traditional farming continues to be important, especially for cereals and grains. What we offer is a complementary solution,” says Abhay.

This specialization also allows Eeki to develop tailored infrastructure and environmental conditions that suit short-cycle and high-demand produce. According to the team, their model helps increase nutritional availability while reducing the need for chemical inputs and water-heavy cultivation practices.

Real-World Challenges Beyond the Lab

While the core product was based on technology, the real challenges for Eeki began when they moved to implementation. Building functional farms on barren land came with a host of difficulties — none of which the team had prior experience in.

“We had no background in civil engineering or infrastructure. But we had to learn how to build structures, handle electricity issues, deal with flooding, and even navigate logistical disruptions during elections or festivals,” Abhay recalls.

These operational issues tested the resilience of the founders. Whether it was a delayed vehicle delivery or seasonal workforce shortages, the early days involved more on-ground firefighting than expected. However, this also gave them critical insights into streamlining processes and improving the end-to-end delivery of their farming model.

Investment and Strategic Backing from Avana Capital

Scaling an infrastructure-heavy business without immediate returns is difficult in a startup ecosystem largely dominated by SaaS, AI, or quick-turnover D2C models. But Eeki managed to secure early backing from Avana Capital, a venture fund known for supporting sustainable and impact-focused businesses.

“Avana believed in us from day one. Despite the risks involved in infrastructure-led businesses, they moved quickly — completing their due diligence and investing within a month,” says Abhay.

Beyond funding, Avana Capital played a key role in helping Eeki become investment-ready. From legal compliance and risk management to building the right team structure, their support was both strategic and operational. According to the founders, this mentorship accelerated Eeki’s ability to navigate regulatory, financial, and scale-related challenges.

The startup’s name reflects a deeper philosophy. Originally inspired by the Japanese concept of ‘Ikigai’, which translates to “a reason for being,” the team wanted the name to reflect purpose and intention. Since the domain name ‘Ikigai’ wasn’t available, they shortened it to ‘Eeki’, which still serves as a reminder of their mission-driven approach.

“We didn’t just want a tech brand. We wanted a name that reminded us why the company exists in the first place,” says Abhay.

What Lies Ahead

As India and the world grapple with issues like water scarcity, food insecurity, and land degradation, technology-led agricultural models like Eeki offer a viable part of the solution. With continued innovation, targeted focus on vegetables, and strategic partnerships, Eeki aims to transform unproductive land into food-producing assets.

The founders believe the next phase will involve deeper integration with government schemes, agri-institutions, and climate-focused stakeholders. Their long-term goal is to make their technology as accessible and accepted as traditional farming methods.

In a sector where innovation often takes years to show results, Eeki is one of the few examples of how deep-tech agriculture can create practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions for a future-ready food system.